Vivian Campbell

About

My Rating

:star: :star: :star: :star: :star:

What I Like

His style of playing

Vivian Patrick Campbell was born August 25, 1962 in Belfast, Country Antrim, Northern Ireland. Vivian joined Def Leppard in 1992 after the passing of Steve Clark but, before Def Leppard he was also in Dio and a few other notable bands. Campbell joined Dio's in 1983 to replace Jake E. Lee who got the call from Ozzy to replace Randy Rhoads.

By the time Vivian joined Dio, most of the Holy Diver album had already been written so, it was up to Vivian to record the guitar parts. On Dio's follow up album Last in Line, Vivian took on a more active role in its writing. When they returned to the studio for second time with Vivian, it was his last with Dio. On leaving Dio, Vivian has stated that"[ playing in Dio] never really mattered much to me....and still doesn't. He's an incredible talent but, he's an awful businessman and way more importantly, one of the vilest people in the industry."

Vivian then joined Whitesnake in 1987 after original guitarist John Sykes was fired by David Coverdale after John had already recorded all lead and rhythm guitar parts. After Whitesnake's 1987/1988 world tour, Campbell was fired. So the only Whitesnake recording Vivian actually played on was the 1988 single remix of Give Me All your Love.

Vivian joined Def Leppard in 1992 after the passing of Steve Clark in January of 1991 after Adreanalize was recorded. Phil said that Campbell fit right in by just being himself. Well it has been 25 years since he became a part of Def Leppard and is still an active member.

Def Leppard & Taylor Swift Hysteria

Campbell announced in 2013 that he was suffering from Hodgkin Lymphoma. Although he is still being treated for the illness, he remains in good spirits.

I for one am happy that Vivian has remained a member of Def Leppard for so long. Phil Collen revealed in his autobiography that Vivian has an amazing singing voice. In fact, Phil states that Campbell has the best voice in the band. Collen also stated that when Vivian joined, the bands vocals took on a new dimension.

*As always the information contained in this favourite came from Wikipedia but I used my own phrases and language *